HIGHER STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS

HIGHER STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS Surely, there are many contributors to road safety—road design, vehicle condition, traffic signs, enforcement of laws—but I am certain that one of the most important is having responsible and law-abiding drivers behind the wheel. While it may be difficult to impose higher standards across the board for all drivers, there is room—and reason—to set stricter requirements for one category in particular: professional drivers. Now, I’m not sure if there’s an official legal definition of what I mean, but for the sake of this essay, let me define “professional drivers” as those who drive vehicles for a living. That would include drivers of public transport vehicles like buses, jeepneys, taxis, shuttles, and even tricycles. It would also include drivers of school buses, ambulances, delivery vans, cargo trucks, and even private vehicles used for public services. In other words, anyone who isn’t just driving for personal errands or leisure. Given that these individuals operate vehicles daily, often for long hours, and are responsible for transporting passengers or goods, shouldn't they meet higher standards? Although it’s true that road accidents aren't solely due to poor road infrastructure or missing signs, it's also fair to say that better-trained and properly screened professional drivers would be more likely to obey traffic rules and avoid dangerous behavior. For instance, stricter screening of applicants for professional driver’s licenses could help weed out individuals with criminal records or a history of drug use. Urban legend or not, there’s plenty of chatter about drivers using prohibited drugs to stay awake during long hauls. If true, this isn’t just a health concern—it’s a public safety hazard. The concern rises exponentially when we talk about drivers handling hazardous materials (HAZMAT). In their hands, a traffic violation could lead to a full-blown disaster—loss of lives, property damage, environmental harm, even the possibility of terrorism. For these drivers, it’s not just about driving skills. They must also pass stringent security checks and advanced training programs. And what about long hours? The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) should implement and enforce rules limiting driving hours. A tired driver is a dangerous driver. Fatigue is just as much a risk as speeding or texting while driving. Training is another big piece of the puzzle. TESDA already offers driving courses, but I believe we need third-party certifiers who can independently verify skills and knowledge. Professionalism in this context should mean something measurable. The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Land Transportation Office (LTO), should also modernize its systems. Biometric verification—such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning—should be used during license testing to prevent impersonation and corruption. We’ve heard too many stories of licenses issued to unqualified applicants through “fixers.” This must stop. Is there a way to track the safety records of professional drivers? Do we have a central database that lists moving violations or crash histories linked to specific license holders? If not, we should. Employers should also contribute to this effort by sharing internal safety performance data, such as speeding incidents or customer complaints. A transparent system that rewards safe driving and flags repeat offenders would encourage more responsible behavior. Across the world, other countries are already setting examples. In the United States, the Department of Transportation mandates random, post-accident, and suspicion-based drug testing for commercial drivers. Australia actively conducts random roadside drug testing using saliva tests. In both countries, penalties are harsh—and road safety statistics reflect the impact of these policies. In the Philippines, mandatory drug testing is required when applying for or renewing a professional license, but what about in between? Shouldn't there be periodic or random checks? Especially for those transporting people or dangerous goods? Implementing higher standards doesn’t just improve road safety. It also raises the quality of our transportation services, improves public trust, and creates a culture of accountability. So, what can be done? Here are a few suggestions: Stricter licensing with comprehensive testing and periodic re-certification. Advanced training programs in defensive driving, customer service, and emergency response. Medical and psychological screening, especially for signs of fatigue and substance abuse. Use of in-vehicle technology to monitor driving behavior in real-time. Centralized safety records to track violations and commend safe drivers. Cross-agency coordination, involving the DOTr, LTO, DOLE, TESDA, DOST, and law enforcement. We cannot change every driver overnight. But we can raise the bar for those whose jobs give them control over the safety of others. Higher standards for professional drivers are not just a dream—they’re a necessity. Let’s steer this in the right direction. Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com 05-29-2025